Determination of the Age of the Elements

Abstract

Xenon from the chondritic meteorite Richardton was found to be heavily enriched in Xe/sup 129/. This isotope almost centainly was formed from the decay of I/sup 129/, extinct at present as a natural radioactivity. It was calculated that (0.35 plus or minus 0.06) x 10/sup 9/ years elapsed between the time of formation of the elements and the meteorite. From subsequent calculations the age of the elements is placed at close to 4.95 x 10/sup 9/ years. (B.O.G.)